Sunlight Scarcity: Dystopian Film Explores Dark Future

National Film and Television School's dystopian short, 'Cloud 99,' is set to premiere at the British Film Institute in March 2026. The film explores a community where access to sunlight is a commodity, and a father's desperate measures center on his daughter's sunflower-growing competition. Written and directed by Leila Murton Poole, 'Cloud 99' stars Jacob Fortune-Lloyd, Olivia Popica, and Jayda Eyles. Director Murton Poole sought to capture the essence of light using 35mm film for its unique qualities. The production, shot at The Modern Appletree in Henley, aims to critique societal issues like inequality and environmental disaster. Following its BFI premiere, 'Cloud 99' will embark on a festival circuit. The film's narrative is described as a blend of intimate character drama and sharp social satire. Murton Poole emphasized the cast's ability to deliver grounded performances within the film's stylized world.